I would suspect the drive. Even though it says it is working OK, it ony means the OS can see it, not that it can read anything. What you can try is boot from a bootable CD, such as Windows by doing an F12 at the splash screen. If it wont boot, you have a hardware problem. After trying it will boot from the HDD in that case.
I had this problem several months ago with my DVD/CD-RW drive would not recognize a disk was installed. I called Dell help since I was under a service contract and the man walked me through removing the DVD/CD-RW and reinstalling it and it worked fine for several months and now it is doing it again. So today, I took it out and reinstalled it and it is still not recognizing that a disk with files on it is in the drive. I am no longer under a service contract so hate to call Dell. He may have told me to do something to the disk when it was out of the computer before I put it back, but I don't remember what else I did. Perhaps you could try removing your drive and reinstalling it. There are screws on the bottom of the computer you loosen and the drive slides out.
I followed your suggestion and started the computer with the Dell Windows Reinstallation CD in the drive and when the Dell screen appeared hit F12. I was then asked which boot device to use, selected the CD/DVD/CD-RW drive, then pressed any key to start from the CD drive whereupon Windows setup commenced and loaded files. When this was complete I was offered 3 choices, eg to setup, to repair or quit. I chose quit and the computer then proceeded with the normal boot up and loading of programes from the HDD. I have restarted the computer again without the Windows CD in the drive and the computer goes through the normal startup.
I then put the Windows CD back in the drive and the MS Windows screen appeared offering various options. I could also see all the files on the disc with Explorer. I took the CD out and then tried it again. The second time the drive sped up then stopped with nothing on the screen and I could no longer see the files using Explorer. I tried a few other CD's. Most resulted in a CD Drive (D:) window appearing on screen which said the disc was blank and asking whether I wanted to burn a CD using Windows Media Player, Roxio Easy CD Creator, RealOne Player, etc. All discs I tried contained files and should have autorun.
I assume from your comments that you think that the fault might now lie with the OS rather than with the CD/DVD/CD-RW drive itself being faulty.
I read that comments from Marisol1 but have hesitated to take the step of removing the drive without clear instuctions (not covered in Owner's Manual) and not knowing what the Dell technician may have told Marisol1 to do?
I assume your reference to "reload" means starting the computer with the Dell Windows Reinstallation CD in the drive and hitting the F12 key to boot from the CD/DVD/CD-RW drive and selecting setup? Would an attempt using the repair option be worth trying first?
Either way I assume taht if I reload/repair the OS, and assuming it fixes the problem, I will then have to reinstall Service pack 2 and all the other Windows updates.
Your confirmation I am understanding your comments would be appreciated.
If you try a windows repair, un-install SP2 first. If you boot from the Resource CD, you can run tests on the CD drive. To remove the drive, undo the screw underneath it, ( captive, wont come out ) and pull the tab underneath. The fact that it reads and boots from the windows CD shows the drive is OK to me. With CD faults, if you can boot from it but not use it in windows it is the OS. Another thing, if you dont mind spending a few dollers, is get a bigger and faster HDD, reload it. Any thing you forgot about will still be on the old one. ( when you reload you always forget to save something ) If you run the Diags and the drive is OK, it may make your decision easier about a reload or other options.
I have not yet attempted to remove the CD?DVD-RW drive, however I have been trying a few diagnostic tests using the Dell System Software CD. I have also made some further attempts to play discs. Results as follows:
If I insert an audio CD into the CD/DVD/CD-RW drive the drive starts rotating then stops. In other words it does not auto run. However if I then open Windows Media Player 10 and use the Play command the CD works okay and the sound and visualisation are fine. If I then take that audio CD out and insert another audio CD (Windows Media Player still open) the second audio CD starts playing. As above, trying to use the Run/Browse command in Windows has the same result - nothing. Windows Explorer does not recognise the presence of an audio CD in the drive and doesn't list files/tracks. This is the same if Windows Explorer is used while the CD is playing in Windows Media Player or if Windows Media Player is stopped.
I have inserted a DVD in the drive and again the drive starts rotating then stops. However, if I open Windows Media Player I can play the DVD, and as with audio CDs if I insert another DVD it also automatically starts playing. If then open Windows Explorer it recognises the DVD and lists the files. If I then take the DVD out and reinsert it I get a window stating "Windows can perform the same action each time you insert a disk or connect a device with this kind of file - Blank CD - What do you want Window to do?" and offering choices based on media software loaded on the computer.
I have also tried cleaning the Dell CDs, eg the Reinstallation CD for Microsoft Windows XP Professional and the CD for reinstalling the Dell system software and other discs contain data had no effect/improvement.
I then put the Dell System Software CD in the drive and rebooted.
When Diagnostics was selected a "Preboot System Assessment Build 3008" commenced. There was no provision to use the the Down Arrow key and the tests proceeded until about 70% through the Hard Drive DST Short Status Test when it stopped. I then got the message "Diagnostics not found. To run diagnostics, insert your Dell "Drivers and Utilities" CD, then select OK to restart the system and boot off the CD". I selected OK and then it rebooted and started Diagnostics Build 1102. I scrolled down and selected "Test one Device", then "IDE Devices", then "IDE CDRW1". I then had a choice of "Extended Tests" or "Quick Tests". I chose "Extended Tests" and the tests appeared to be okay until I selected to do a "Data Destructive Test". This did not proceed correctly because I apparently did not have a disk with data in the correct format. I then tried a "Quick Test" and skipped the "Data Destructive Test" and the test completed satisfactorily and advised that the drive performed optimally.
While I am no expert it does seem to me that the problem may be the software and not the drive which seems to work okay. I have run out of time today to uninstall Service Pak 2 and then try repairing the OS using the Dell Reinstallation disc so will try that tomorrow.
Any further thoughts based on the above very welcome.
From what you have said, the reading is selective. If it will boot OK outside of windows it would show the hardware is OK. If you dont mind speding a few dollers, a new disk is still an option. You wont lose any work, and it can go back in if you have any issues. After all is well, it can be used in a USB caddy as an external drive. ( for desktops as well as laptops ) They are handy to move data with no CD writer.
I am still following your progress, although you have lost me on most things as I am not familiar with the computer. I did go to media player and put in my cd and pushed play and it keeps saying "insert a disk" so it is not recognizing there is a disk in the Drive D:
My D: also rotates and tries to start when I put in the disk and shut the door, but it stops and nothing happens. As I said before, when I took out the disk drive and reinserted it last year, it worked for a while. If it is the software, why would it work sometimes and not others?
The acid test is will it boot. There are a number of resons it can be software, depending on the file type it may not be opened correctly, such as opening a data file as a DVD. Some programs will also stop it auto-running. There could even be a virus.
Following Marisol1's earlier suggestion, I removed the CD drive from my computer and while it was out wiped the terminals with a clean cloth and then replaced it in the computer. However it did not solve my problems.
On the other point about the possibility that viruses can cause problems, in my case I am using Symantec Norton Anti Virus and Firewall and do scans regularly so do not think that is the cause of the problem in my case.
I also looked at my HDD and realised the number of files had increased to the point where I only had 7% free space on a 40 GB drive! I thought this small amount of free space remaining may be preventing the software including the CD and auto run software from running properly. I have now removed a lot of files from the HDD so there is now 23% free space. At the same time I have defragged the HDD using Windows and optimised the files on the HDD using Norton Speed Disk. I then shut the computer down and restarted it but the problems persist so a shortage of free space does not appear to have been the problem.
Following your earlier suggestion I have asked Dell for a quote to supply a larger, 80 GB HDD.
I can use software such as Windows Media Player to play CDs or DVDs and while the disc is still in the drive I can then use Windows Explorer and see all the files on the disc, but as soon as I remove the disc and reinsert it in the drive I can no longer see the files on the disc using Windows Explorer.
I have checked and discovered that my extended warranty on the computer still has about 3 weeks to go before it expires. I have therefore also contacted Dell Support and Service and explained the problems to them. They have now concluded that the CD drive is faulty and the technician has submitted a request for it to be replaced!
I have therefore put on hold, for the time being, your suggestion to remove Windows Service Pack 2 and attempt a repair of Windows or possibly a full reinstall of Windows, pending receipt of a repacement drive from Dell.
Good luck with it. If a new disk is of interest, they are a standard thing you will get cheaper not buying from Dell. It will be interesting to see what the new CD drive does.
Good luck with the new drive. I think that is the solution. When I talked to the Dell guy I had only a few days left on my warranty. I waited to call because I thought I was doing something wrong and then it worked for a while and my warranty and support was expired and not renewable so I have just avoided using the cd RW drive. I have put in two different disks from companies like Ikea with instructions to install kitchen cabinets and both have started right up and worked fine. Maybe they had a program on them that enabled them to do that. Whatever. Please post how new cd player is doing and maybe I will buy a new one too.
When the replacement CD drive arrived yesterday I immediately fitted it in the computer and started testing the CD's (Dell Reinstallation CD's, music CD's and data CD's which should have auto run. To my dismay none worked properly - I still had the same problems!
After more attempts I searched the Microsoft Knowledge Base for possible information on problems similar to mine. I looked at Article ID 314855 and Article ID 330135 and went through all the steps they describe. In every case the existing settings on my computer seemed to correspond with those in the Microsoft articles and so I didn't make any changes.
Also in Article ID 330135 they advised that versions of Roxio Easy CD Creator software earlier than version 5.02d can cause problems similar to what I was experiencing. Although the version supplied by Dell with the computer was more recent (version 5.2.0.56) I decided to uninstall this program. I then tested again with the various CD's and DVD's and still no joy.
Then this morning I rebooted the computer and success, all the CD's I have been using for testing the computer (eg audio CD's, Dell Reinstallation CD's, data CD's) are working as they should, eg they auto play, can be accessed through the Run command and all files are shown in Windows Explorer.
I am at a loss to understand what has solved the problems apart from the new CD drive. The original CD drive was Hitachi-LG model GCC-4240N whereas the replacemnet drive supplied by Dell is GCC-4241N. I don't know whether this is significant.
I have since tried more CD's and DVD's and they all work fine.
I then decided to reinstall Roxio Easy CD Creator including the upgraded version 5.3.5.17 that is now available on the Dell website. I have since tested all the CD's and DVD's again and everything is okay so this software does not appear to have been the problem.
Everything is now working fine, so I am happy!
Thanks again for your contributions and suggestions. They were very much appreciated.
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
January 3rd, 2006 19:00
Hi,
I would suspect the drive. Even though it says it is working OK, it ony means the OS can see it, not that it can read anything. What you can try is boot from a bootable CD, such as Windows by doing an F12 at the splash screen. If it wont boot, you have a hardware problem. After trying it will boot from the HDD in that case.
Regards Chris
marisol1
3 Posts
0
January 3rd, 2006 22:00
Wollombi
10 Posts
0
January 3rd, 2006 22:00
Hi Chris,
Thanks for your prompt response.
I followed your suggestion and started the computer with the Dell Windows Reinstallation CD in the drive and when the Dell screen appeared hit F12. I was then asked which boot device to use, selected the CD/DVD/CD-RW drive, then pressed any key to start from the CD drive whereupon Windows setup commenced and loaded files. When this was complete I was offered 3 choices, eg to setup, to repair or quit. I chose quit and the computer then proceeded with the normal boot up and loading of programes from the HDD. I have restarted the computer again without the Windows CD in the drive and the computer goes through the normal startup.
I then put the Windows CD back in the drive and the MS Windows screen appeared offering various options. I could also see all the files on the disc with Explorer. I took the CD out and then tried it again. The second time the drive sped up then stopped with nothing on the screen and I could no longer see the files using Explorer. I tried a few other CD's. Most resulted in a CD Drive (D:) window appearing on screen which said the disc was blank and asking whether I wanted to burn a CD using Windows Media Player, Roxio Easy CD Creator, RealOne Player, etc. All discs I tried contained files and should have autorun.
What now? Any further thoughts?
Regards,
Wollombi :smileysad:
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
January 4th, 2006 06:00
Hi,
The OS should show were the problem is. You may need a reload or more....
Regards Chris
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
January 4th, 2006 06:00
Please delete dupe post.,
Message Edited by AussieChris on 01-04-2006 06:58 PM
Wollombi
10 Posts
0
January 4th, 2006 09:00
Chris,
Thanks again for your response.
I assume from your comments that you think that the fault might now lie with the OS rather than with the CD/DVD/CD-RW drive itself being faulty.
I read that comments from Marisol1 but have hesitated to take the step of removing the drive without clear instuctions (not covered in Owner's Manual) and not knowing what the Dell technician may have told Marisol1 to do?
I assume your reference to "reload" means starting the computer with the Dell Windows Reinstallation CD in the drive and hitting the F12 key to boot from the CD/DVD/CD-RW drive and selecting setup? Would an attempt using the repair option be worth trying first?
Either way I assume taht if I reload/repair the OS, and assuming it fixes the problem, I will then have to reinstall Service pack 2 and all the other Windows updates.
Your confirmation I am understanding your comments would be appreciated.
Regards,
Wollombi
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
January 4th, 2006 16:00
Hi,
If you try a windows repair, un-install SP2 first. If you boot from the Resource CD, you can run tests on the CD drive. To remove the drive, undo the screw underneath it, ( captive, wont come out ) and pull the tab underneath. The fact that it reads and boots from the windows CD shows the drive is OK to me. With CD faults, if you can boot from it but not use it in windows it is the OS. Another thing, if you dont mind spending a few dollers, is get a bigger and faster HDD, reload it. Any thing you forgot about will still be on the old one. ( when you reload you always forget to save something ) If you run the Diags and the drive is OK, it may make your decision easier about a reload or other options.
Regards Chris
Wollombi
10 Posts
0
January 5th, 2006 10:00
Hi Chris,
I have not yet attempted to remove the CD?DVD-RW drive, however I have been trying a few diagnostic tests using the Dell System Software CD. I have also made some further attempts to play discs. Results as follows:
If I insert an audio CD into the CD/DVD/CD-RW drive the drive starts rotating then stops. In other words it does not auto run. However if I then open Windows Media Player 10 and use the Play command the CD works okay and the sound and visualisation are fine. If I then take that audio CD out and insert another audio CD (Windows Media Player still open) the second audio CD starts playing. As above, trying to use the Run/Browse command in Windows has the same result - nothing. Windows Explorer does not recognise the presence of an audio CD in the drive and doesn't list files/tracks. This is the same if Windows Explorer is used while the CD is playing in Windows Media Player or if Windows Media Player is stopped.
I have inserted a DVD in the drive and again the drive starts rotating then stops. However, if I open Windows Media Player I can play the DVD, and as with audio CDs if I insert another DVD it also automatically starts playing. If then open Windows Explorer it recognises the DVD and lists the files. If I then take the DVD out and reinsert it I get a window stating "Windows can perform the same action each time you insert a disk or connect a device with this kind of file - Blank CD - What do you want Window to do?" and offering choices based on media software loaded on the computer.
When Diagnostics was selected a "Preboot System Assessment Build 3008" commenced. There was no provision to use the the Down Arrow key and the tests proceeded until about 70% through the Hard Drive DST Short Status Test when it stopped. I then got the message "Diagnostics not found. To run diagnostics, insert your Dell "Drivers and Utilities" CD, then select OK to restart the system and boot off the CD". I selected OK and then it rebooted and started Diagnostics Build 1102. I scrolled down and selected "Test one Device", then "IDE Devices", then "IDE CDRW1". I then had a choice of "Extended Tests" or "Quick Tests". I chose "Extended Tests" and the tests appeared to be okay until I selected to do a "Data Destructive Test". This did not proceed correctly because I apparently did not have a disk with data in the correct format. I then tried a "Quick Test" and skipped the "Data Destructive Test" and the test completed satisfactorily and advised that the drive performed optimally.
While I am no expert it does seem to me that the problem may be the software and not the drive which seems to work okay. I have run out of time today to uninstall Service Pak 2 and then try repairing the OS using the Dell Reinstallation disc so will try that tomorrow.
Any further thoughts based on the above very welcome.
Regards,
Wollombi
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
January 5th, 2006 18:00
Hi,
From what you have said, the reading is selective. If it will boot OK outside of windows it would show the hardware is OK. If you dont mind speding a few dollers, a new disk is still an option. You wont lose any work, and it can go back in if you have any issues. After all is well, it can be used in a USB caddy as an external drive. ( for desktops as well as laptops ) They are handy to move data with no CD writer.
Regards Chris
marisol1
3 Posts
0
January 6th, 2006 13:00
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
January 6th, 2006 18:00
Marisol1,
The acid test is will it boot. There are a number of resons it can be software, depending on the file type it may not be opened correctly, such as opening a data file as a DVD. Some programs will also stop it auto-running. There could even be a virus.
Regards Chris
Wollombi
10 Posts
0
January 8th, 2006 10:00
AussieChris
4.2K Posts
0
January 8th, 2006 18:00
Hi,
Good luck with it. If a new disk is of interest, they are a standard thing you will get cheaper not buying from Dell. It will be interesting to see what the new CD drive does.
Regards Chris
marisol1
3 Posts
0
January 10th, 2006 16:00
Wollombi
10 Posts
0
January 11th, 2006 11:00
Hi Marisol1 & AussieChris,
When the replacement CD drive arrived yesterday I immediately fitted it in the computer and started testing the CD's (Dell Reinstallation CD's, music CD's and data CD's which should have auto run. To my dismay none worked properly - I still had the same problems!
After more attempts I searched the Microsoft Knowledge Base for possible information on problems similar to mine. I looked at Article ID 314855 and Article ID 330135 and went through all the steps they describe. In every case the existing settings on my computer seemed to correspond with those in the Microsoft articles and so I didn't make any changes.
Also in Article ID 330135 they advised that versions of Roxio Easy CD Creator software earlier than version 5.02d can cause problems similar to what I was experiencing. Although the version supplied by Dell with the computer was more recent (version 5.2.0.56) I decided to uninstall this program. I then tested again with the various CD's and DVD's and still no joy.
Then this morning I rebooted the computer and success, all the CD's I have been using for testing the computer (eg audio CD's, Dell Reinstallation CD's, data CD's) are working as they should, eg they auto play, can be accessed through the Run command and all files are shown in Windows Explorer.
I am at a loss to understand what has solved the problems apart from the new CD drive. The original CD drive was Hitachi-LG model GCC-4240N whereas the replacemnet drive supplied by Dell is GCC-4241N. I don't know whether this is significant.
I have since tried more CD's and DVD's and they all work fine.
I then decided to reinstall Roxio Easy CD Creator including the upgraded version 5.3.5.17 that is now available on the Dell website. I have since tested all the CD's and DVD's again and everything is okay so this software does not appear to have been the problem.
Everything is now working fine, so I am happy!
Thanks again for your contributions and suggestions. They were very much appreciated.
Wollombi :smileyvery-happy: